LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands women's soccer team stayed within striking distance of No. 7 Colorado School of Mines, but couldn't find the offense it needed as the Cowgirls lost to the Orediggers 2-0 Sunday afternoon at Sanchez Family Stadium.
NMHU (0-7 overall, 0-4), despite being outshot 29-4, kept the game close with Mines (7-1-1, 4-0) thanks to a strong effort from goalkeeper
Karina Vega – who collected eight saves and made several other key plays to keep the score from being higher for the Orediggers. It was Vega's first start of the season, replacing the injured Breana Ruelas.
Mines got on the board first in the 17th minute when Dominique Rivera sent a perfectly placed corner kick right in front of the box where Emily Townsend headed into the top-right corner.
The Orediggers added another goal in the 39th minute when Hannah Stoner took the ball from midfield and dribbled around the NMHU defense to set up a one-on-one opportunity with the keeper, which she converted into the right side of the goal to make it 2-0.
Over the final 51 minutes, however, the Cowgirls kept the Orediggers scoreless.
Nitza Rodriguez took the Cowgirls' lone shot on goal while
Tania Salcedo,
Breanna Fatten and
Anna Medina each took a shot for NMHU.
The Cowgirls are off until next Sunday when they host CSU-Pueblo at 1 p.m. at Sanchez Family Stadium.
